NATURAL CONVECTION

NATURAL CONVECTION

• Natural convection occurs due to a density difference between the two phases of a substance. The
difference in density can be seen due to temperature gradient of the hotter and the colder fluid.
• When a body is placed in fluid at a temperature which is hotter or colder than that of the body, heat flows
between body and fluid due to temperature difference.
• Due to heat transfer there will be a temperature gradient in the fluid field causing a change in density of the
fluid.
• Now the hotter fluid (liquid) has a lesser density and moves up. Whereas, the colder fluid being heavier
moves down. As a result, there will be a motion in the fluid
• This motion known as natural convection circulation loops is solely caused by difference in densities
resulting from temperature gradient. Due to absence of any other external source like a pump, this heat
transfer phenomenon is known as natural convection.
• Some applications are designed to have natural convection heat transfer. They include: transmission
lines, transformer, electronic devices, heaters and radiators etc.
• Fluid velocity is generally low for natural convection. Fluid beyond the BL is motionless.
• Fluid motion is due to buoyancy forces created due to combined presence of a fluid density gradient and
a body force.
• Due to change in density during natural convection, there is a expected change in other properties also.
• Generally, 
 1
o
where 𝜌𝑜 is the initial density.
Continuity equation :
u v
+ =0
x y

Momentum equation (during natural convection effect) :

u u dp   2u 
u +  v = − +   2  − g 
x y dx  y 

where 𝑔𝜌 is the body force. X momentum Eq in the quiescent (standstill) fluid outside the BL can be
obtained by setting u = 0 dp
= g 
dx
is the free stream pressure gradient. Substituting in the momentum eq.

u u   2u 
 u +  v =   2  + g (  −  )
x y  y 
 Volumetric thermal expansion coefficient is given by
This provides the measure of density change
1    with respect to temperature
 =−  
  T  p

1  1 (  −  )
 =− =−  (T − T ) = (   −  )
 T  (T − T )
Therefore, momentum Eq becomes Boussinesq Approximation :
• Variation in density is neglected everywhere expect in
u u   2u 
u + v =  2  + g  (T − T ) buoyancy term.
x y  y  • It should be noted that density is only a function of
temperature and is independent of pressure.
Energy equation :
•
T T k   2T  For incompressible fluid 𝜌e is constant
u +v =  2 •
y  C p
It is assumed that the vertical dimension of the body is
x  y  small.
 v
• For vertical plate  = 0 and is negligible.
x
• Boundary Conditions :
at y = 0 ; u = v = 0, T=T𝛿
and at y = ∞ , u ~ 0 and T~T∞
Non Dimensionalising the momentum equation
The various non-dimensionalized parameters are

T − T x y u v
T* = , x* = , y* = , u* = , v* =
Ts − T L L uo uo
• For vertical plate
• Non dimensionalising the equation we have

uo 2 u * uo 2 u * uo   2 u * 
u* + v* = 2  2 
+ g  (T − T )
L x L y * L  y * 
u * u *    2u *  g  (Ts − T ) L
u* + v* =  2 
+ T*
x y *  uo L  y *  uo 2

u * u * 1   2u *  g  (Ts − T ) L
u* + v* =  2 
+ T*
x y * Re L  y *  uo 2

• The non-dimensionalised energy equation

T * T * 1   2T * 
u* + v* =  2 
x y * Re L Pr  y * 
 Natural Convection Buoyancy Force g  (Ts − T ) L3
Grashof Number = =
Viscous Force 2
g  (Ts − T ) L g  (Ts − T ) L3   2   1 
T *=  2 2  T * = Gr  2 
T*
uo 2
 2
 uo L   Re L 

• The finalized equation becomes

u * u * 1   2u *  Gr
u* + v* =  2 
+ T*
x y * Re L  y *  Re L 2

• The Grashof number plays the same role in free convection as played by Reynolds number in forced
convection.
• Solving equation for heat transfer we get,
Nu = f (ReL , GrL Pr)
• Now
Gr
2
~ 1, consider both natural and forced convection
Re L
Gr
2
 1, free convection effect is negligible
Re L
Gr
2
 1, forced convection effect is negligible
Re L

Local heat transfer coefficient for laminar natural convection term on vertical plate or cylinder
1
4
1 Gr k
hcx = 0.508 Pr 2
1
(0.45 + Pr) 4 x
1
 Pr + 0.56  4
 x = 4.3 x  2 
 Pr Gr x 
• Since Gr  x 3
heat transfer coefficient decreases with the distance from the leading edge to the power
1/4. Also, 𝛿𝑥 increases with x1/4
L
1 GrL k
h c =  h cx dx = 0.68 Pr
1
2
1
L0 (0.452+Pr) 2 L
hc L 1
2
GrL
Nu L = = 0.68 Pr 1
k (0.452+Pr) 2
varying between10 < GrL Pr <108
For vertical plate submerged in a liquid metal (Pr<0.03)
1
2 3
Nu L = 0.68(GrL Pr )
for GrL >109 (turbulent region)
hcL 1
Nu L = =0.13(GrL Pr) 3
k
valid for both constant temperature and constant wall flux condition
• Plate With Inclination

1
Nu L = 0.56(Gr Pr cos  ) 4
Ts
105  Gr Pr cos   1011 ; 0    89 𝜃
Horizontal plates in between fluid
T1 𝜌1 𝜌1 T1
x Unstable fluid
circulation Stable fluid
g circulation

𝜌2 T2 T2 𝜌2
T  T 
T 2  T1 ; 0; 0 T1  T2 ; 0; 0
x x x x

• Density decreases in the direction of • Density does not decrease in the direction of
gravitational force gravitational force
• Heat transfer takes place from bottom to top. • Heat transfer takes place from top to bottom.

• Existence of density gradient in a gravitational field does not always ensure convection currents.
• For upper hot surface (or) lower cool surface
1
Nu L = 0.54 RaL 4
; 105  Ra 107
1
Nu L = 0.15 RaL 3
; 107  Ra 1010

• For lower hot surface (or) upper cool surface

1
Nu L = 0.27 RaL 4
; 105  Ra 1010

• Horizontal wires or pipes in natural convection in 3D body

1
Nu D = 0.53(GrD Pr) 4
; Pr  0.5 and 105  Gr  109

• Horizontal cooled plate facing down in a liquid metal

Nu D = 0.26(GrD Pr 2 )0.35
• Enclosed Spaces
• Double glazed windows flat plate solar collector building walls

g  (T1 − T2 ) 3 Insulated
Gr =
2 L

• For isothermal parallel surfaces T2 T1

Cold 𝛿
Hot
W

1 Insulated
− 0.28
 L   Pr Ra f 
4 L
Nu f = 0.22     for 2   10 ; Pr  10 ; Ra f  1010
    0.2 + Pr  
• For large L/𝛿 ratio

0.42( Ra 0.25 Pr 0.012 ) L

Nu = ; for 10   40 ; 1  Pr  2x10 4 ; 10 4  Ra  107
L
0.3

 
 

• For large RaL

L
Nu = 0.046 Ra 0.33 ; for 1   40 ; 1  Pr  20 ; 106  Ra  109


For heated air stream ( flat plate solar collector)

𝑇
For Raf < 1700, only conduction
For Raf > 1700, fluid motion is in the form of multiple cells 𝛿 Air
rotating about horizontal axes known as Benand
cells 𝑇𝑏
Tb>𝑇
  1708   Ra  3 
 1

Nu = 1 + 1.44 1 − +
    − 1 ; for 1700  Ra  10 8

 Ra   5830  

 1 
3
Ra

 1708   Ra  3 
1 1− ln  
 Ra   140 
Nu = 1 + 1.44 1 − +
    − 1 + 2  
 
; for 1700  Ra  3.5x109
 Ra   5830    140 

Rotating cylinders, discs, spheres and flywheels

𝑇𝑠
• Horizontal cylinder rotating in air above the critical velocity

hcD  D 2 𝜔
Nu D = = 0.11(0.5 Re + GrD Pr)
2 0.35
where Re =
k 
• For rotating disc

• Laminar Regime
 D2 𝜔
 106

1
 D  2 2
Nu D = 0.36  
  
• For turbulent regime
0.8
hcr  r  2
Nur = = 0.0195  
k   
• For rotating disc in a fluid having Pr>1 Re r Pr (CDr / 2)
Nur =
5 Pr + 5ln(5 Pr + 1) + (CDr / 2) − 14
Local Drag Coefficient
1
= −2.05 + 4.07 log10 Re r CDr
CDr
• For sphere rotating in and infinite environment
• In laminar regime
 D2
Re =  5x10 4

Nu D = 0.43Re 0.5 Pr 0.4
For Re range between 5x10 4 to 7x105
Nu D = 0.066 Re 0.7 Pr 0.4
• Combined forced and free convection
• Navier Stokes Equations including the buoyancy can be written as

v v    2u 
u + v =  2  + g  (T − T )
x y   y 
• As already seen non dimensional form is written as

u * u * 1   2u *  Gr
u* + v* =  2 
+ T* Recap
x y * Re L  y *  Re L 2

Gr
2
~ 1, consider both natural and forced convection
Re L
Gr
2
 1, free convection effect is negligible
Re L
Gr
2
 1, forced convection effect is negligible
Re L
Natural Convection may help or affect
forced convection current depending on the
relative directions of buoyancy and forced
convection flows
(a) Assisting flow: Buoyancy motion is in the
same direction as the forced motion.
Natural convection assists forced
convection.
(b) Opposing flow: Buoyancy motion is
opposite to the direction of forced
motion. Natural convection resists forced
convection.
(c) Transverse flow: Buoyancy motion is perpendicular to the forced motion. Natural convection enhances fluid
mixing and thus heat transfer.
• Generally
( Nu ) ( ) ( )
n n n
= Nu  Nu
combined forced natural convection

n → 3for vertical plates

+ → flows are in the same direction
− → flows are in the opposite direction

Heated plate
Different convection zones

Forced
Laminar Zones Mixed
H
y Mixed Forced flow
H Natural

x
L
L
Turbulent Zones

Forced

y Mixed
H
Natural L=W
Tw
x
L S
• Finned Surfaces (Heat Exchanger)
For square fins
0.37
 Ra 
0.89 2.7
1 
Nu =  
 + (0.62 Ra
4
) 2.7
 ; 0.2  Ra   4x10 4
L
 18   W

qS g  (Tw − T ) s 3 S L
Nus = RaS = t
A(Tw − T )k  H
For circular fins
Heat transfer from fin tips Tw
Nu = CRas
qS g  (Tw − T ) s 3 S T∞
Nus = RaS =
A(Tw − T )k  H t
d
D

D
= c = 0.44 + 0.12 b = 0.9
d
2  Ras  104 ; 10.36    3.73
S

• For included fin tip + cylinder + vertical fin surfaces

0.294
  137  
Nuδ=0.125Ra s 0.55 1 − exp  −  ; 5  Ras  10 4
  Ra s 
• Horizontal Triangular Fins

For 1.8x104  RaL  1.4x107

 0.46 
Nu L =  − 0.32  Ral m
 sin  
 2 
W
m = 0.148sin  + 0.187
2
Rac = (15.8 − 14sin  )x105 L
2
For RaC  RaL  1.4x107 S
 0.54 
 
1
Nu L = 0.09 + Ral 3
 sin  
 2
 T∞
• For rectangular fins on horizontal surfaces W
−1
 1500  2
 2
0.39 −2
Nu =   + (0.081Ras ) 
 Ras  
H S
2x10  Ras  6x10 ; Pr = 0.71
2 5

0.026  H  0.19
W Tw
0.016  S  0.2
W
• Natural Convection heat transfer to fluids in horizontal isothermal tubes
0.14
 b  1

+ Gz + 0.12(GzGrD 3 Pr 0.36 ) 0.88 

1 3
Nub = 1.75  
 
 s 
D
Greatz Number; Gr = Re D Pr  
4 L
5  Pr  400 ; 250  GrD 105 ; 25  Gz  700
TURBULENT FLOWS
Introduction
• Turbulent motion is irregular in nature.
• In turbulent flows, the various quantities such as velocity, temperature and pressure varies randomly, both
with time and space such that only the statistical (time) average of these quantities can be expressed
qualitatively.
• Such flows are characterised by disturbances occurring due to surface roughness and these disturbances are
either dampened due to viscous damping or grow with time and space.
• At Re < Recritical , the viscous damping does not allow the random fluctuations to sustain.
• At Re > Recritical ,the kinetic energy of the flow supports the growth of fluctuations and transition to
turbulence occurs.
• Turbulence can be generated by ;
(a) frictional forces at the confining solid walls (known as wall turbulence).
(b) the flow of layers of fluids with different velocities over one another(known as free turbulence).
Figure. Variation for horizontal components of velocity for laminar and turbulent flows at a point.

Figure. Comparison of velocity profiles in a pipe for of velocity for laminar and turbulent flows.
• In general, due to fluctuations in turbulent flows, the mixing of the fluid is better and produces additional
diffusive effect. This diffusion is known as Eddy-Diffusion.
• Large eddies get energy from the free stream when Re is high and pass the energy to smaller eddies which grow.
• Near walls smallest eddies are destroyed as they possess very less energy which is lost in intermolecular energy.

• For a flat plate,

Boundary layer starts

subsequently Flow turns into shortly turns into turbulent
as laminar flow at
transition flow
leading edge

• The turbulent boundary layer continues to grow

in thickness, with a small region below it called
a viscous sublayer. In this sub layer, the flow is
well behaved, just as the laminar boundary layer.
 − t − t
− − 1 1
Continuity equation :
u = u +u ; v = v +v
' ' u =  udt ; v =  vdt
− − t0 t0
u v − −
+ =0 p = p + p' ; T = T + T ' − 1
t
1 − t
x y p =  pdt ; T =  Tdt
t0 t0
Momentum and Energy equation

− − − − −−−−
−u − v 1 P  2 u  (v u ) ' '
u +v =− + 2 −
x y  x y x
Molecular heat transfer and shear stress
− −
− − − −−−−
u u
−T T k  T  (v T )
− 2 ' '
m =  = 
u +v = − y y
x y  CP y 2
y − −
T u
qm = − k = − CP
y y
 − − − −−−−
− u − v  P  m  (  v u ) ' '
 (u +v )=− + −
x y x y y
− − −−−−
− T − T qm  (  C v T ) ' '
 CP (u +v )=− − P Turbulent heat transfer and shear stress
x y y y
−−−−
T = v u ' '
− − −
−u − v  P  ( m +  T ) −−−−
 (u +v )=− + qT =  C v T ' '
x y x y p
−
− − −−−−
u
T − T  (qm + qT )
−  T =  v u = 
' '
 CP (u +v )=− y
x y y
−
−−−−−−
T
qT =  C v T = −  C p T
' '

y
p
 −
− u − v
−
 − −

1 P   u 
u +v =− + ( +  )
x y  x y  y 
  C p /
Pr = = = /
−
− T − T
−
 −
 k k / C p
  u 
u +v = ( +  T )
x y y  y  
  PrT =
T
− −
 −

− T − T   1  1 T 
u +v =v ( + )
x y y  Pr  PrT y 
 

Transition occurs - Rex = 3.5 X 105 to 5 x 105

Fully Turbulent - Rex = 9 X 105 to 1.3 x 106

• Viscous or the laminar sub layer comes mostly in the turbulent region, but the flow is laminar and the no slip
boundary condition holds. The buffer layer marks the transition from wall based turbulent low to the free stream
turbulent flow. After this, the flow changes to turbulent completely.
• Turbulent flow in a circular duct is shown in figure, where
the length of development of turbulent flow is 25-40 times
the duct diameter. After this distance, the flow transits to
turbulence.